What to do with Pumpkins: Cool Ways to Use Your Pumpkin Other Than Making Pie

Ever wondered what to do with pumpkins after Halloween? Really, we all should. Almost fat-free, pumpkins are low in calories, high in antioxidants, and incredibly rich in vitamins and nutrients, yet most people carve them for Halloween and then discard them. A member of the gourd family, this hardy fall icon offers many health benefits and may boost your immune system, yet we often send them to the compost pile or worse yet, let them go to waste in our landfills.

There are so many ways to use pumpkin beyond making your favorite pie or jack-o-lantern. Let’s explore some easy recipes using pumpkin for the whole family (and your complexion!). We’ll also cover how to roast pumpkin seeds and how these humble gourds can boost your fall décor. As a bonus, this will help make your holidays more eco-friendly, too.

Before you carve, learn what to do with pumpkins after Halloween.

Why You Should Reuse or Repurpose Your Pumpkin

The pumpkin’s rich nutrient content makes it a shame to just discard it after Halloween. All that nutrition could go into your kitchen, that of a family in need, or even into enriching garden soil. An uncarved pumpkin can last for months, providing wonderful seasonal decoration. Exploring ways to use pumpkin simplifies life, keeps the wholesome gourds out of our landfills, and makes better use of their many benefits.

Just remember, there are more ways to use pumpkins that haven’t been cut into. A carved pumpkin lasts just a few days before it spoils. But if kept cool, an uncarved pumpkin continues to look its best for months without compromising the quality of the flesh within. So, why not get more pumpkin-decorating bang for your buck before you turn it into a delicious dish?

Donate or Compost Unused Pumpkins

If you’re just too busy to figure out what to do with pumpkins after Halloween, chop them up and mix them into your compost for a nutrient boost — or why not donate them whole?

You can donate raw pumpkins to your local wildlife organizations, animal shelters, farms, or community gardens if you haven't cut, painted, or treated them. They'll appreciate compost material or healthy snacks for their animals. You may find that your town does a pumpkin collection drive after Halloween, or that some farms ask for donations of pumpkins. Take a look at social media pages for your community to find drop-off sites. It's a great way to support local animal organizations and prevent pumpkins from going to landfills.

Beauty Uses: Pumpkin for Skin Care

We promised easy recipes using pumpkin, but as much as you may love pumpkin for edible treats, save some for your complexion. Rich in zinc and vitamins A, C, and E, pumpkin makes a nourishing facial mask. Add a small splash of milk to about five teaspoons of pumpkin purée. Then add three teaspoons of brown sugar for gentle exfoliation. Stir well, and apply to your freshly washed face in small, circular motions while avoiding the area around your eyes. Relax for 20 minutes, then rinse it away, revealing softer, healthier skin.

Edible Ideas Beyond Pie

Let’s explore some delicious ways to use pumpkin. From how to roast pumpkin seeds to simple recipes using pumpkin for soups, bread, bagel spread, pasta and even coffee. You’ll never lack for yummy ideas about what to do with pumpkins after Halloween.

How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds

Want to know what to do with pumpkin seeds leftover from carving Mr. O’Lantern? Roast them! Roasted pumpkin seeds make a tasty, nutritious, and low-cal snack. First, boil the seeds in salt water to let the flavor work its way inside the shells. Then, pat the seeds dry, spread them out on a cookie sheet, and bake at 400 degrees F. The pumpkin seeds are ready when they turn light, golden brown. Large seeds (from bigger pumpkins) will take roughly 20 minutes and are best shelled before eating, while seeds from small pumpkins roast in about 5 minutes and can be eaten whole, shells and all.

Simple Pumpkin Purée

This easy recipe using pumpkin is the delicious prelude to many others, such as pumpkin soup, bread, or muffins. Simply set the oven to 350 degrees F, cut your pumpkin in half, and scoop out the seeds and guts. Then, set them aside to clean and toast the seeds later. Next, place the pumpkin cut-side down in a baking dish with about a cup of water. Bake for 60-90 minutes or until the flesh is soft. Then, scoop out the soft pumpkin flesh, toss it into your food processor or blender, and pulse until it is smooth.

Hot Pumpkin Soup

This pot of nourishing pumpkin soup is a simple and comforting way to use pumpkin for cool autumn nights. To start, set aside 4 cups of your pumpkin purée. Then sauté 1 chopped onion or 2 shallots and 2 cloves of garlic (minced) in 2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil until soft. Stir in the pumpkin purée and 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth. Simmer for about 10 minutes, then stir in ½ to 1 cup of heavy cream (to taste). Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Garnish this delicious, warming soup with sour cream and toasted pumpkin seeds.

Pumpkin Bagel Spread

Try blending ½ cup pumpkin purée with 2 tablespoons softened butter (or 4 ounces cream cheese for a richer version) for a tasty bagel spread. Mix in 1 tablespoon brown sugar and a pinch each of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread on toasted bagels for a healthy treat for a cozy fall breakfast.

Pumpkin Pasta

Ravioli stuffing is one of the most delicious and comforting ways to use pumpkin flesh. For the filling, blend 1 cup pumpkin purée, ¼ cup grated Parmesan, a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Use wonton wrappers or fresh pasta sheets to enclose small spoonfuls, then boil until tender.

What’s more, any recipe for summer squash ravioli can only be made even better with pumpkin in place of the squash. Served with fresh sage leaves and browned butter, this simple pumpkin ravioli will elevate your fall cuisine and impress your family and dinner guests.

Pumpkin Cup o’ Joe

If one of your favorite ways to use pumpkin is in a pumpkin-spiced latte, try making your own twist at home. Stir a dollop of pumpkin puree mixed with some cream, honey, and a dash of cinnamon into your coffee for homemade pumpkin-spiced yumminess.

Decorative and Gardening Uses

For all the delicious recipes using pumpkin, the gourds also provide lovely seasonal décor to enhance your home life.

Succulent-Topped Pumpkins

A chic way to use pumpkins that lights up social media is the succulent-topped pumpkin. Princess pumpkins or any that are wider than they are tall are ideal for this simple craft.

First, glue a handful of dried sphagnum moss to the top of your pumpkin. Next, nestle a variety of succulent cuttings into the moss and glue them into place. Hot glue works perfectly and harms neither the succulents nor the pumpkin. Then, mist the moss with water twice a week. The succulent cuttings will root into the moss and can happily grow there for months at a time before the pumpkin spoils. Then, simply remove the succulents and moss, and plant the succulents before discarding the pumpkin in your compost heap. Better yet, transplant the succulents after a couple of months so you can make one of our recipes using pumpkin flesh while it’s still fresh.

Autumnal Decorations and Thanksgiving

With holidays and socializing right around the corner, never wonder again what to do with pumpkins after Halloween. Full-sized and miniature pumpkins make simple yet elegant seasonal décor. Use the pumpkins whole and add walnuts and hazelnuts in the shell, and pillar candles in ivory, yellow and orange. Loosely cluster them on your mantle or use the grouping as a festive tablescape. For even more flair, consider using both white and orange pumpkins.

You can also use pumpkins from Halloween if you draw their spooky faces with a thick felt-tip pen instead of cutting out the shapes. Just turn them toward the wall on the mantle or sideboard, so the faces don’t show during your Thanksgiving feast.

Garden / Planting Uses

For another way to use pumpkin, put it to work in your garden. The hollowed-out shell makes a perfect biodegradable planter. Fill it with soil and seeds, then plant the whole thing once the seedlings sprout. The pumpkin nourishes the young plant and the soil as it decays. Smaller pumpkin pieces can be chopped and worked directly into garden beds as organic matter, enriching the soil and supporting next season’s growth.

Fuel or Fire Use (with Caution)

Dried pumpkin shells or the fibrous insides can be used as outdoor kindling, but handle them carefully to prevent a home fire hazard. Burn only in safe, controlled areas and always follow local fire rules.

Health & Household Uses for Pumpkin

For even more ways to use pumpkin, you can look no further than your own household’s needs.

Digestive Aid for People and Pets

One of the best uses for pumpkin flesh is to settle upset tummies and balance gastrointestinal systems for every member of the family, including your cats and dogs. Frozen pumpkin chunks are a terrific treat for dogs, while cats will accept a small bit of pumpkin puree mixed into wet food to aid digestion. For both kids and adults, whip up a delicious and soothing batch of pumpkin soup.

Nutritious and Soothing Baby Food Ingredient

Another gentle, nourishing way to use pumpkin is in your baby’s food. Its natural fiber and smooth texture help soothe tiny tummies and ease digestion. Simply mix a spoonful of pumpkin purée into your baby’s regular meals for extra comfort and nutrition.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

As you explore what to do with pumpkins after Halloween, a few simple precautions can help keep your efforts safe, tasty, and eco-friendly. Whether you’re trying new recipes using pumpkin or repurposing leftovers in the garden, steer clear of these common missteps:

• Using treated, painted, or carved pumpkins for food or compost — paints and sealants can contain chemicals harmful to people, pets, and soil.
• Overcooking or burning seeds — when learning how to roast pumpkin seeds, keep a close eye on them; they should turn golden, not dark brown.
• Letting pumpkins sit in warm, damp areas — this quickly leads to mold, odors, and pests.
• Feeding pumpkin too often — for both people and pets, moderation matters; check with a vet or nutritionist before making pumpkin a dietary staple.

Pumpkin Use Planning Checklist

Before deciding what to do with pumpkins after Halloween, a little pre-planning ensures nothing goes to waste and every part finds a purpose. Use this quick checklist to organize your efforts:

• Decide on your goals before carving — decoration, recipes, compost, or even skin care.
• Set aside portions for cooking, roasting seeds, or garden use.
• Clean and sanitize tools and surfaces after carving or cutting.
• Label and store properly — freeze pumpkin purée, dry seeds, and refrigerate fresh portions for short-term use.
• Schedule drop-off or composting dates to keep your eco-friendly pumpkin plans on track.

Your Pumpkin Possibilities Await

With these exciting pumpkin uses in mind, you can make them a bigger and more delicious part of the season for your family. They’re not just for jack-o'-lanterns and pie anymore. Enjoy a beautiful autumn and a safe (and tasty) holiday season. And while you’re at it, consider checking your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, so the only surprises this fall come from your creative use of pumpkins.